Trump Said Gifted Qatari Jet Was ‘Free’—But Renovation Cost Could Reportedly Near $1 Billion

At the same time, Sara Dorn is a Forbes news reporter who covers (something worth watching)

AuthorJul 28, 2025, 04:20pm EDTToplineThe Pentagon appears to be using an over-budget missile ject to pay for renovations to the jet Qatar controversially gifted to President Donald Trump earlier this year, according to a new report, despite the president arguing he accepted the plane because it was “free. ” President Donald Trump (R) and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) arrive at Trump MacLeod

In contrast, More House & Lodge Trump on the Trump International Estate in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on July 28, 2025 (something worth watching). (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)AFP via Getty ImagesKey FactsThe Pentagon classified the cost of the renovations, but a recent $934 million transfer from the budget for a notoriously costly nu missile gram, known as the Sentinel ject, to an unnamed classified ject has raised eyebrows that the maneuver was int to pay for the plane renovations, The New York Times reported over the weekend

Air Force officials have said privately that Sentinel funds will be used to make upgrades to the plane so it can be used as an Air Force One, though it’s un if the entirety of the $934 million transfer will go toward the renovations, according to the Times, which reported the Air Force said last week it couldn’t discuss the cost of the plane because it’s classified

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told Congress in June the Defense Department believed the retrofit would cost $400 million, but engineers and Air Force experts have said the estimate appears low (this bears monitoring)

Meanwhile, The Times reported on the observation after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum of understanding with Qatar on July 7 stating the plane is an “unconditional donation” to the Pentagon not to be “interpreted or construed as, an offer, mise, or acceptance of any form of bribery, undue influence, or corrupt practice (something worth watching)

The president justified the gift by describing the plane as a “GIFT, FREE OF CHARGE,” he wrote on Truth Social, and has also said he would be “stupid” not to accept the jet

Additionally, Why Did Qatar Give Trump The Plane

Despite Trump claiming the jet is a gift, the Trump administration apached Qatar the plane after it was informed Boeing was behind schedule in dering two new planes to be used as Air Force One, according to multiple reports, and ly wouldn’t complete the jets until 2027 at the earliest, more than three years behind schedule, in this volatile climate

What Renovations Does The Jet Need, in light of current trends

The plane, valued at $400 million, needs to be upgraded with modernized communication and nology systems, antimissile capabilities and an enhanced engine, according to the Times

On the other hand, It will also need to be inspected to ensure the Qataris didn’t implant any spying devices, given the current landscape

However, The upgrades are expected to begin imminently and take a year or two to complete

Where Is The Plane Now

In San Antonio, Texas, given current economic conditions

Additionally, The plane was flown to a facility there, which the Times reported is known for secret nology jects, from Palm Beach International Airport when the U

Formally accepted the gift in March, given the current landscape

In contrast, What Is The Sentinel gram

A ject to replace and modernize the U, in this volatile climate

Air Force’s Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system of ground-based nu weapons

On the other hand, The Air Force initially told Congress the ject would cost $77. 7 billion, but the cost has since gone up to $140 billion, according to the Times

Nevertheless, Nevertheless, Key BackgroundThe jet gift raised bipartisan criticism of ethical concerns and the potential for espionage, while Trump’s family dealings in Qatar added another layer of concern

Market analysis shows Trump Organization announced plans in April to build a luxury golf re in Qatar developed by a company owned by the Qatari government, the Associated Press reported previously

Confidential information with Forbes

Nevertheless, Editorial StandardsRes & PermissionsLOADING PLAYER, in this volatile climate.